Endangered fish meeting April 4

RANGELY I Colorado Parks and Wildife is inviting the public to attend a public meeting to discuss the progress, benefits and future goals of the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program.
The meeting will be held Wednesday, April 4, from 6-8 p.m. in the Colorado Room of the Weiss building at Colorado Northwestern Community College.
Wildife managers and biologists from Colorado Parks and Wildife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service are scheduled to attend and be available to discuss the agencies’ efforts to recover the four endangered fish.
“We committed to keeping Coloradoans informed about the recovery so we’re looking forward to returning to the Rangely area with an update,” said Ron Velarde, regional manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
“We will share some of the benefits the Recovery Program has had for area water users and openly address the challenges that local anglers have expressed.”
In April, Rangely residents may notice an increase in activity along the White River below Kenney Reservoir, as recovery program personnel will make additional passes along this stretch to assess and bolster previous efforts to remove non-native fish.
Research studies have revealed that predation from non-native fish is one of the biggest obstacles to the successful recovery of the endangered fish.
“Whether you are an angler, landowner or water user, this is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn about the recovery of these important species,” said Sherman Hebein, senior aquatic biologist for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
The Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program’s goal is to recover four native fish found only in the Colorado River basin — Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker, bonytail chub and the humpback chub.
As a partner in the recovery program, CPW will continue to work to restore critical native habitat, remove threats that could prevent recovery and seek eventual self-perpetuation of the four species of fish.